Wash. Admin. Code § 296-307-09815

Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024

Section 296-307-09815 - Identification of harmful exposures

The employer must determine the current PM_2.5 for worksites covered by WAC 296-307-09805 through 296-307-09860 periodically as needed. The employer may use any of the following methods to determine employee exposures such that they are able to comply with the requirements in WAC 296-307-09805 through 296-307-09860:

(1) Check PM_2.5 forecasts and the current PM_2.5 from any of the following:

(a) Washington department of ecology website;

(b) Air Quality WA mobile app;

(c) Washington smoke information website;

(d) U.S. EPA Fire and Smoke Map;

(e) U.S. EPA AirNow website;

(f) U.S. EPA AirNow mobile app;

(g) U.S. Forest Service AirFire website; or (h) Local clean air agency website.

(2) Obtain PM_2.5 forecasts and the current PM_2.5 directly from the Washington state department of ecology, U.S. EPA, U.S. EPA Enviro-Flash.info, or local clean air agency by telephone, email, text, or other effective method; or

(3) Measure current PM_2.5 levels at the work location in accordance with WAC 296-307-09845.

The following table indicates the NowCast AQI values that may be used from the Washington state department of ecology, local clean air agency, or EPA to comply with this section:

CURRENT PM2.5	NOWCAST AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PM2.5 (AQI)
20.5 µg/m3	69
35.5 µg/m3	101
250.5 µg/m3	301
500.4 µg/m3	500
555 µg/m3	Beyond the AQI

Notes:	* The current PM2.5 is updated hourly.
	* Employers are not responsible for tracking employee exposures outside of working hours.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-307-09815

Adopted by WSR 24-01-070, Filed 12/14/2023, effective 1/15/2024